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Grace Waves/Pastor’s Blog 03.01.19

“Do I not destroy my enemies by making them my friends.” Abraham Lincoln after the Civil War’s conclusion

~ Fat Ash Sunday: In the spirit of Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday and as preparation for Ash Wednesday (March 6 at 7 pm) we will combine these two as preparation for our Lenten Season with a Dixieland Jazz Liturgy created by our own Drew Cremisio this Sunday, March 3. It shall be forever known as Fat Ash Sunday. Expect a great fun and celebration.

~ Goran Berg and the Sycamore Strings Academy: A simply stunning concert was presented by the Academy this past Sunday evening. We are so blessed to have these incredible young musicians regularly performing their concerts at Peace. And thank you, Goran, for both being a gifted teacher and creating these superb feasts of the soul.

“Love your enemies do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; turn the other cheek; lend without calculation of return; do not judge; the excess you practice will be the measure of excess you receive.” Jesus

~ Greetings from Mark Miller! We bought a home in Mount Vernon just 1.5 miles down the Potomac from George Washington’s home. We are located about 60 yards from the river, with great views. Our home is on property once owned by George Washington. Neighbors include G. Gordon Liddy of Watergate fame and an ex-Redskin quarterback. We see our grandsons a couple of times per week and my wife and I both have siblings located 30 minutes to an hour away. I see a far greater degree of poverty than we had in the Tri Valley area. People begging for food at a local McDonalds and Safeway, which are about 4 miles from our home. I have bought food for a couple of people and put one homeless man up at a hotel during a cold period. I will probably join Nativity Lutheran church in Alexandria. Best regards to everyone at Peace!

~ International Women’s Day – March 8: In 1961, three courageous women challenged the male-dominated realms of California conservation and politics. They took off their aprons and created a force that changed the future of our Bay. Sylvia McLaughlin, Kay Kerr and Esther Gulick were environmental pioneers who started a movement to stop massive companies, wealthy landowners, and powerful politicians from filling in our Bay. They succeeded!

~ Day of Remembrance, February 19, 77 years after the signing of Executive Order 9066: We recall that dark time when the U.S. government deemed Americans of Japanese descent the enemy. Families, even young children, were forced to abandon their homes and lives for an uncertain future. Those children behind barbed wire were the youngest victims of racial prejudice.

It is crucial that we remember the deep wounds of Executive Order 9066. When we see children today separated from their families, it is our responsibility to stand with those subjected to unfair and discriminatory policies. Children are not the enemy and they should not have to question our government’s values. Norman Mineta, Chair, Japanese American National Museum.

~ Our Jazz Church Westcelebration hosts Kristen Strom’s Quartet at 5:00 pm. You won’t be the same person when the concert concludes!